In South America, dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes symptoms such as high fever, is spreading at an unprecedented scale, with at least 700 deaths confirmed this year in Brazil, and some Local authorities in the state have declared a state of emergency and are urging caution.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne infection that causes high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, and can even lead to death if the symptoms become severe.
This year, dengue fever infections are spreading in South America at an unprecedented scale, and in Brazil, infections have rapidly spread this year, with more than 2 million people infected and at least 715 deaths. has been confirmed.
Brazil's Ministry of Health says the number of infections is the highest since record-keeping began in 2000.
Infections are spreading in the southeastern states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where the population is concentrated, and the capital Brasilia, and local authorities have declared a state of emergency one after another and called for caution.
The Japanese embassy and consulate-general in Brazil requires thorough infection prevention measures such as wearing long sleeves and long pants when going out, and using insect repellent when visiting the country for sightseeing or business trips, and to prevent suspected infections. If this occurs, we urge you to immediately seek medical attention.
Is it due to climate change or the El Niño phenomenon?
It has been pointed out that the reason behind the rapid spread of dengue fever in Brazil and other countries is the continuing hot and humid climate caused by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon.
Locally, public vaccination against dengue fever developed by a Japanese company has begun, but the supply is not keeping up with the rapid spread of infection.
In Sao Paulo, Brazil's most populous city, the number of infected people in the two months up to the end of last month was approximately 35,000, 25 times the number during the same period last year.
Health authorities are using drones to locate puddles and spraying them with medicine to kill mosquito larvae, as well as spraying insecticides from vehicles.
Additionally, in areas where dengue fever has occurred, staff are going around houses and installing equipment to prevent mosquito breeding, as well as reminding residents to regularly clean flower pots and other areas where mosquitoes are likely to breed.
São Paulo City Health Secretary Luis Carlos said, ``75% to 80% of dengue fever infections occur within households.In order to prevent infection, it is important to first raise public awareness.''